JENNY'S PSALM REFLECTIONS: 82 VERSE 4

THIS WEEK’S VERSE IS PSALM 82 Verse 4

“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Background:

Psalm 82 is a short Psalm and is entitled “A Plea for Justice.” The Psalm is condemning the human rulers of Israel for acting in an unjust and unfair way. From a historical perspective however, the psalm also reflects the belief that the God of Israel was one among many gods; however He was the most powerful. The psalmist also uses the imagery of a council to attempt to persuade others that the God of Israel is truly the greatest. Other gods are insignificant and incompetent! God is a just and ethical God which sets him apart.

We are all familiar with the calls of God and Jesus to look out for the needy in our society e.g  in Luke 4:16-24 where Jesus declares that He was “…sent to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” It is never more true than today with spiralling costs in our own country and sadly, many needy people fleeing persecution in their own countries. 

Our faith must be defined by our actions and this Psalm reminds us in no uncertain terms that the call of our faith is to search for those who have no voice and are living on the margins. God is not a God of the rich but a God of the poor.

You may also want to listen to my recent sermon on the passage from Luke quoted above, as part of your reflection today.

Watch the Sermon

Meditation

1. FIND A Relaxing PLACE. 

Make sure that you are in a quiet place. Sit comfortably but alert – feet flat on the floor, back pushed hard against the back of the chair. Start your reflection by being open and ready to God’s presence.

2. Focus on your breathing.

Focus on your breathing. Pay attention to in-breaths and out-breaths. You may think of breathing in God’s life and peace and breathing out any tension.

3. Be aware of your body.

Be aware of your body. Let your aches and pains be there. Rest your hands in your lap; you don’t need to be doing anything with them now. Rest your feet on the floor; you don’t need to go anywhere. Shrug your shoulders, ease your neck. Take time to become still and repeat quietly verse 4. Think of people in your society who are most marginalised and how they can be helped.

4. Listen to God 

Then, in the stillness, listen to what God might be saying to you.

5. Finish with this prayer:

God, our deliverer, when the foundations of our world are shaken and justice appears irrelevant, help us to act steadfastly for justice for the poor and needy and marginalised in our society. Give us strength and skill to equip us to work towards a fairer society. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.